Of Brats, Ping-pong, and Cherry Trees

Our “Friday Fun” feature has a Part II today. It just had to be after second-year seminarian Matt Kortus sent me this photo of what was really happening as lunch was being prepared today.

You see, each Friday during the school year we share a brat cookout lunch, and today was our first one. The students usually do the grilling and today was no exception. What was the exception is that, unbeknownst to any of us, they moved the ping-pong table outside!

Yes, indeed, students of all ages and institutions are always students, given to non-convention and invention.

So while Darren Vink kept diligent watch on the brats (and I assume, Matt Kortus too), Jacob Maatman (left) and Josiah Tan (right) carried on a tense match. Who won? You will have to check with them.

As for the brat lunch, it was delicious! Topped off with ice cream with fresh peaches and strawberries, compliments of Prof. Dykstra. Now you know why we look forward to Friday lunch.

And I didn’t even mention Mrs. Judi Doezema’s famous Friday coffee-break snacks. Today’s platter: blueberry muffins and poppyseed bread. Yes, we are spoiled (blessed).

Now, what about these cherry trees I mention? Just one, actually. A new Kwanzen Cherry tree planted by Kregel’s Nursery this week, to replace the crab apple that was uprooted by the tornado that passed near Seminary on August 20 (above photo).

We look forward to Spring and the beautiful pink blossoms this tree will have.

The Furry Faces of Bookselling: Bookstore Pets

For our first “Friday Fun” item today, we feature an article on pets in bookstores. These are obviously not your bland, boring bigonomous bookstores, but your local, friendly, personal, indie ones – the ones who, because they are owned by your neighbor, may have their pets in their stores. 🙂

So enjoy this list of bookstores with pets of all kinds – yes, chickens and pigs too! Below is the introduction that goes with the article. Be sure to click on the critter pictures on the right and see what you may find in your local bookstore!

With bookstore companions ranging from cuddly cats and friendly dogs to guinea pigs, birds, and potbellied pigs, indie booksellers around the country foster a sense of warmth and community in their stores while also setting themselves apart. Bookstore pets — like the collection of chickens, ferrets, chinchillas, and more at Wild Rumpus in Minneapolis or the litters of kittens looking for “furrever” homes at Horton’s Books & Gifts in Carrollton, Georgia — inspire an extra smile from customers browsing the stacks for their next great read.

Source: The Furry Faces of Bookselling: Bookstore Pets | American Booksellers Association